ANDERS KRISÁR
An open door waits for you.
Take a chance and walk right through.
Mist circles your frame.
Time to play the game.
The chess pieces wait.
Take care, you’re not late.
You rub your eyes in disbelief
as you sigh in happy relief.
This can’t be happening, you see.
I’m in bed as the sun breaks free.
A brand new day yawns wide and clear.
I’m safe and have nothing to fear.
Source: aqua-regia009
Seek, and you shall find
what the mind may hide.
Follow the soft sighs
to where the bird flies.
Dig deeper into your dream
as you float with the stream.
Time will never end
nor will it ever bend.
Enjoy the here and now
as I give my last bow.
The hallway awaits.
It beckons.
It calls.
Doors line either side.
Shrill cries fill the air.
Cold creeps into my bones.
Then silence descends.
I peek into the first room.
Empty wheelchairs face me.
Except for one.
It turns, rolls to me,
then stops.
I freeze.
The lights flash.
A table appears at the far wall.
A bright surgical light hangs above.
The men in white coats face me.
I open my mouth to scream.
I'm strapped to the table.
The men in white peer at me.
A drill whirls next to my ear.
I struggle against the thick straps.
The room goes black.
Take me away from a world without color,
A world where life is dull and grey.
I want to swim through the ocean’s waves,
Where rainbows can frolic and play.
The sun’s rays shimmer off the water,
Leaving trails of gold, yellow, and red.
Beacons of light for me to follow
To a new land where to lay my head.
I fly through the rolling waves,
Touching down on a spot of land.
I am lifted by arms of fountains
And laid to rest on the pink sand.
Turtles scurry away from my hand.
Birds fly around as they have fun.
The waves recede in their farewell dance,
Leaving me alone in the sun.
Who lives on this small island?
It’s time for me to explore
The hut of branches in the tree.
I must see if there is more.
The steps are pretty steep.
I climb and step inside.
The room is small and dark.
Who knows what it may hide?
I hear footsteps from the room beyond.
They’re coming closer to where I hide.
It’s too late to run for the door.
I must face whoever is inside.
A man saunters into the room,
Candles and two places set.
He throws me a big grin
As if I am his prized pet.
We both wait in silence.
He slowly moves toward me.
“I hope you like my surprise.”
I feel as cold as can be.
I don’t like surprises.
Especially from him.
He keeps me at arms-length,
Not letting me in.
I lower my eyes
From the fire in his eyes.
They’re consuming me alive.
I am burning from his lies.
He makes an abrupt movement
And strides across the room.
He kisses me with great passion
Under the blood-red moon.
What lies hidden beneath End House?
Familiar faces & bony countenances.
A cacophony of moans & sounds.
A community of creatures living in the tunnels.
Friends who might be returning to the living,
Or the living who might be joining The Dead.
THE DEAD GAME
by Susanne Leist
